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Very interesting. My Mrs asked me if most in the US drive manual after watching Gilmore Girls. Now we know! In the UK, it's quite different. Most I know drive

by jwdunne 10y ago

Very interesting. My Mrs asked me if most in the US drive manual after watching Gilmore Girls. Now we know! In the UK, it's quite different. Most I know drive manual. Only 1 swears by auto. I've only ever driven a manual so it's hard to judge. At this point, manual is second nature so it's hard to imagine not doing it. In fact, learning to drive in an auto is considered a fool's game. You are not allowed to drive a manual if so and since everyone pretty much drives manual, your options get limited, especially if buying a used car or driving someone elses.

mattlondon 10y ago
I used to 100% drive manuals and it really was second-nature to think about changing gears - in fact the first few times I drove an automatic it was "interesting" as more than once I accidentally slammed the brakes on 100% with my left foot as my brain was on autopilot for where it was used to changing gears around the roads where I live. The thought process/autopilot my brain was going through was something like "ok, get ready to change down a gear, full clutch please left leg <left leg presses a pedal down>... WHOA! WTF! WFT JUST HAPPENED?! DID I HIT SOMETHING?!" then the realisation that your left leg just stampted on the brake pedal not the clutch pedal :-) I blame the super-wide brake pedals some automatics have! Luckily there were no one behind me, but it is quite an experience to get 100% brake application as a driver when you are NOT expecting it! I can only imagine that this experience will become more common with increasing automation/emergency braking in cars. My daily-drive in the UK these days is a hybrid that is a CVT automatic. I actually really like driving it now around London as its just so so so so much easier and less stressful in traffic. I still keep a manual 2-seat rear-wheel drive car around for fun as I love the feeling of actually driving a car, but the ease of an auto just cannot be beaten. I am a total convert!
- jwdunne 10y ago
  At least you didn't stall! I am now petrified of using an auto. Takes a long time for my habits to adjust and I'll be slamming on for ages. Drivers round here like to drive with their noses up your arse...

by jwdunne 10y ago

mattlondon 10y ago

I used to 100% drive manuals and it really was second-nature to think about changing gears - in fact the first few times I drove an automatic it was "interesting" as more than once I accidentally slammed the brakes on 100% with my left foot as my brain was on autopilot for where it was used to changing gears around the roads where I live. The thought process/autopilot my brain was going through was something like "ok, get ready to change down a gear, full clutch please left leg <left leg presses a pedal down>... WHOA! WTF! WFT JUST HAPPENED?! DID I HIT SOMETHING?!" then the realisation that your left leg just stampted on the brake pedal not the clutch pedal :-) I blame the super-wide brake pedals some automatics have! Luckily there were no one behind me, but it is quite an experience to get 100% brake application as a driver when you are NOT expecting it! I can only imagine that this experience will become more common with increasing automation/emergency braking in cars. My daily-drive in the UK these days is a hybrid that is a CVT automatic. I actually really like driving it now around London as its just so so so so much easier and less stressful in traffic. I still keep a manual 2-seat rear-wheel drive car around for fun as I love the feeling of actually driving a car, but the ease of an auto just cannot be beaten. I am a total convert!

jwdunne 10y ago
At least you didn't stall! I am now petrified of using an auto. Takes a long time for my habits to adjust and I'll be slamming on for ages. Drivers round here like to drive with their noses up your arse...